The Punjab government finds itself at a crossroads, deliberating whether to comply with or defy a direct order from the Central government. The Union Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has mandated all states to conduct Gram Sabhas in every village panchayat on December 26. The objective is to educate citizens about the newly rebranded rural employment guarantee scheme, now called VB-G Ram G, which replaces the earlier Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The Centre's Directive and Punjab's Political Dilemma
The Centre's directive, communicated via a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all states, comes with stringent requirements. The entire proceedings of the Gram Sabha must be uploaded in real-time, accompanied by geo-tagged photos and videos. The order also mandates the active participation of villagers, with a specific focus on women, labourers, and Scheduled Caste families.
However, Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is planning a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on December 30 to pass a resolution against this very scheme. This has created a significant political and administrative quandary. A state government functionary questioned the logic of organising the Gram Sabhas, stating, "When we have called a session, we should not organise the gram sabhas. When we will be bringing a resolution against it on December 30, how can gram sabhas be organised?"
Financial Burden and a Shift in Scheme Fundamentals
The opposition from Punjab stems from fundamental changes in the scheme's structure and the financial burden it imposes on states. Under the new VB-G Ram G, the funding pattern has been altered. While the Centre will contribute 60 per cent, the state governments will now have to match it with a 40 per cent grant. Previously, MGNREGA was a demand-driven right with the Centre bearing the full cost of wages.
The state official highlighted the financial strain, pointing out that Punjab has already completed works worth Rs 1,000 crore under the old framework and is prepared to spend Rs 2,000 crore. "Next year, when this scheme comes into effect, the states will have to match a grant of 40 per cent... How will Punjab pay Rs 800 crore if an amount of Rs 2000 crore is to be spent?" he asked, emphasizing that the guarantee of employment is no longer a legal right under the new avatar.
Leadership's Stance and the Way Forward
Punjab's Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, has called a meeting of concerned officials to understand the issue fully before making a decision. "We will take a call tomorrow. I have called all the officers to understand the situation. Otherwise, we are organising a special session of Vidhan Sabha on December 30 to oppose it," Sond stated.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, speaking in Sangrur, criticised the opposition Congress for focusing merely on the name change. He argued that the real issue lies in the altered provisions. "Will the change in name of a scheme make it better?... The provisions of the scheme have been changed. They should protest against the change in the provisions. The Centre has burdened the states instead of funding the scheme themselves. We will bring a resolution in Vidhan Sabha," Mann asserted, clarifying his government's intent to formally oppose the scheme in the assembly.
As the deadline of December 26 approaches, the Punjab administration is caught between adhering to the Centre's instructions and maintaining its political stance against what it perceives as an unfair shift in policy and fiscal responsibility. The decision, expected imminently, will signal the state's approach to future Centre-state directives on flagship schemes.
